Gluten Freedom’s Top 5 Casual Dining

While I’m always up for a fancy dinner, there are times where you want to preserve your wallet and just don’t feel like getting dressed up. Earlier in the summer, I gave you my Top 5 Atlanta splurge restaurants. So I thought I’d share with you my favorite casual spots around town.

MetroFresh: A devoted subscriber to their daily menu, I love learning what’s going on in MetroFresh world. MetroFresh labels all of their dishes that are gluten-free, dairy free, etc. making it easy to navigate and I can know exactly what’s available for me. MetroFresh now also serves GF muffins each week that are delicious. Try their new location in the Atlanta Botanical Garden. At this location they don’t list the specific GF items but you can ask someone working there and they will help you out.

A GF muffin at MetroFresh

Soup & squash salad at MetroFresh

Taqueria del Sol: While you want to avoid the chips at Taqueria (as they’re fried in the same fryer with breaded items), there are still many options for you. In fact, you can even order corn tortillas to dip in guac and salsa so you don’t have to totally miss out. I love their Memphis taco and their veggie taco (with corn tacos, of course). Yummy, but just prepare to wait in line for a little while.

Tacos at Taqueria

Yeah Burger: One of my “go to” weeknight dinner places when meeting a friend or having a laid back date night, I’ll go here forever, as long as they have the “gluten-free 50-50.” (Yes, that’s right: a glorious basket filled half with onion rings and half with French fries.) Recently, YEAH has changed their GF bun from Pure Knead to Rudi’s. I’m not thrilled about this switcheroo and might go bunless now but I still consider YEAH a favorite because of the fries and onion rings. Oh, and the YEAH sauce is a-mazing for dipping.

Fuego Mundo: I don’t get to Fuego as much as I’d like, but I heart their black bean quinoa and plantains. So yummy. Basically their entire menu is GF so you don’t have to worry at all about contamination.

Bhojanic: Thanks to Mary Stuart, David and I have finally found an Indian place in Atlanta that we love. Reasonably priced, these dishes have quite a kick and there are many gluten-free options. The staff is very knowledgeable about their GF items.

Hey Betsy-a friend of mine (Anna Allen) sent me your blog and I have loved reading it and trying to make your recipes but I have never replied! Anyway, we went to Verde on Collier this past weekend and they have a great GF selection with a great little disclaimer @ gluten on the menu. So try it out if you love mexican! They also have a awesome margarita with Tito’s vodka mixed in (also GF). I love your blog and your recipes so thank you!!

Thanks so much, Julie! I’m so glad you’re enjoying Gluten Freedom. We actually tried Verde on Collier last week too! So nice to be able to look at the menu and know what your GF options are. I stayed away from the chips because they fry them in a communal fryer with their breaded items. Loved my tacos, though!